Grading Criteria_Argument Essay_WRT 105
3 points each out of a total of 30
1) The feeling of the writing (passion): it is clear that the issue matters to the writer and the writer convesy to the reader this feeling of caring and passionate attachment; the writer persuades the reader that the issue matters; there is an overall feeling of "so what?"; the writer shows their responses to what is happening in the world around them.
2) The "self" is in the writing: the writer relates the argument to personal experience in a scholarly and sophisticated manner; if the writer uses “I,” it is used in a scholarly manner (no “I feel” or “I believe”); the writer engages critically in a dialogue with self.
3) Evolving thesis: the writer shows how their thinking has changed over the course of the paper; there is deep, complex thinking going on in which it is apparent that the writer is evolving.
4) Evidence: the evidence is linked to claims and there are no gaps in the logic; the writer does not make assumptions about the reader that are not warranted; the evidence collected correlates to the claims made; there is fact-based data (numerical data; physical or concrete data) and that data and information is accurate and presented fairly. The writer uses a primary source, real world evidence, and ties the issue to local realities.
5) Multiple perspectives: there is a thesis, counter-thesis, and synthesis or new idea created from the consideration of multiple perspectives; the writer uses concessions to give credence to differing viewpoints; multiple perspectives have been fairly and accurately considered; the writer is not necessarily in agreement with all perspectives but there is a sense of mutual understanding.
6) Style: there is varied sentence structure; the writer uses an appropriate choice of words and tone; the prose has cadence and rhythm that would make it pleasing to be read aloud.
7) Synthesis: the ideas of one author or constituent are contextualized with the ideas of another; at some point in the paper there are two viewpoints discussed up against each other creating a new idea or new perspective.
8) Cohesion: the writer does not change topic in the middle of paragraph unless it is done purposefully; the introduction is compelling and works in conjunction with the rest of the essay; ideas have organization and lead the reader towards the conclusion; there is a flow from one idea and paragraph to the next (transitions).
9) Sources: sources (authors and texts) are used correctly, are introduced, cited properly; the writer uses four to five sources; use of sources is scholarly and logical. The quotations and paraphrases are woven into the prose smoothly; it is clear when the writer is asserting their ideas versus when the writer is referring to the ideas of others.
10) Theory: the theory is used effectively and the writer clearly understands and conveys it accurately; the theory used is relevant to the issue at hand.
3 points each out of a total of 30
1) The feeling of the writing (passion): it is clear that the issue matters to the writer and the writer convesy to the reader this feeling of caring and passionate attachment; the writer persuades the reader that the issue matters; there is an overall feeling of "so what?"; the writer shows their responses to what is happening in the world around them.
2) The "self" is in the writing: the writer relates the argument to personal experience in a scholarly and sophisticated manner; if the writer uses “I,” it is used in a scholarly manner (no “I feel” or “I believe”); the writer engages critically in a dialogue with self.
3) Evolving thesis: the writer shows how their thinking has changed over the course of the paper; there is deep, complex thinking going on in which it is apparent that the writer is evolving.
4) Evidence: the evidence is linked to claims and there are no gaps in the logic; the writer does not make assumptions about the reader that are not warranted; the evidence collected correlates to the claims made; there is fact-based data (numerical data; physical or concrete data) and that data and information is accurate and presented fairly. The writer uses a primary source, real world evidence, and ties the issue to local realities.
5) Multiple perspectives: there is a thesis, counter-thesis, and synthesis or new idea created from the consideration of multiple perspectives; the writer uses concessions to give credence to differing viewpoints; multiple perspectives have been fairly and accurately considered; the writer is not necessarily in agreement with all perspectives but there is a sense of mutual understanding.
6) Style: there is varied sentence structure; the writer uses an appropriate choice of words and tone; the prose has cadence and rhythm that would make it pleasing to be read aloud.
7) Synthesis: the ideas of one author or constituent are contextualized with the ideas of another; at some point in the paper there are two viewpoints discussed up against each other creating a new idea or new perspective.
8) Cohesion: the writer does not change topic in the middle of paragraph unless it is done purposefully; the introduction is compelling and works in conjunction with the rest of the essay; ideas have organization and lead the reader towards the conclusion; there is a flow from one idea and paragraph to the next (transitions).
9) Sources: sources (authors and texts) are used correctly, are introduced, cited properly; the writer uses four to five sources; use of sources is scholarly and logical. The quotations and paraphrases are woven into the prose smoothly; it is clear when the writer is asserting their ideas versus when the writer is referring to the ideas of others.
10) Theory: the theory is used effectively and the writer clearly understands and conveys it accurately; the theory used is relevant to the issue at hand.